The Reason

The Reason

Star of Bethlehem

Jesus is the reason for this season.

Is it possible that the world has gotten caught up in different traditions to celebrate this time of year?

Jesus is the reason for this season.

Many people have latched on to traditions, and have allowed themselves to become distracted from the true reason Christmas is celebrated.

Jesus is the reason for this season.

Black Friday has turned into green Thursday by having people work on Thanksgiving day, in order to get people to shop for early deals on Christmas presents.

Jesus is the reason for this season.

Some people will camp out all night in all types of weather, to be the first person in line to get in the store when the doors open for that one flat screen TV.   

Jesus is the reason for this season.

In many instances, purchase will be put on credit cards that will run up a balance that might take the entire year to pay off.

Jesus is the reason for this season.

Instead of being caught up in a season, let us try to remain focused on the reason.

Jesus is the reason for this season.

Seasons will change, but Jesus never changes.

Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever”.

Black and White Jesus Is the Reason for the Season

Continuing in His service…Rev

Fear

Image result for picture of fear

2nd Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”. (NKJV)

A person cannot always accept everything from this world that someone offers to give them, but every gift from God is good and perfect.

People can experience different types of fear.

A healthy fear is having reverence toward God.

Proverbs 9:10 “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding”. (NKJV)

An unhealthy fear can be described as having a sense of terror or dread. This type of fear also includes a fear of:

Large bodies of water or swimming pools.

Heights or flying in airplanes.

Insects and or bugs.

Snakes.

Certain type of dogs.

Being in large crowds.

Riding in elevators with people or being alone in an elevator by themselves.

Scripture tells us that the “spirit of fear” is not from God. This type of fear can almost always produce negative feelings resulting in; anxiety, stress, dismay, despair, sadness worry, depression and in some extremes, nightmares.  

The “spirit of fear” can also be a force that influences the will of a person, and their way of thinking to a point of having little or no hope.

God has given us three “good and perfect” gifts to combat the “spirit of fear” in the verse of scripture found in 2nd Timothy 1:7

1st gift is “power” (Greek definition-dunamis)

Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us”

2nd gift is “love”

1st John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love”.

1st Corinthians 13:4-8 ” Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails”. 

3rd gift is a “sound mind”

Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus”

Having a sound mind will give us the ability to recognize the “spirit of fear” we might experience at any given time. Once we identify that we are experiencing the “spirit of fear”, we can then use love to assist us with using the right amount of power that is needed to defeat, and conquer the “spirit of fear”.

Lord thank you for the gifts that you have given your people that enables us to live a victorious life, in Jesus name…Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev

Holiness

Holiness

1st Peter 1:15,16 “but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, Vs 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I Am holy” (NKJV)

One of the main attributes of God is His holiness.

One might ask the question “what is holy or holiness”?

The word holy or holiness can be described as that which is sanctified or set apart for divine service. Holy or holiness also describes one of God’s attributes as being righteous; having moral perfection and ethical wholeness.

One might also ask “what does someone have to do to be holy”?

God gives instructions to be “imitators” of Him (be holy, for I am holy). The definition of an “imitator” is; “a person who copies the behavior or actions of another.”

God has told His people in several scriptures to follow “the example” that He has set before them:

1st Peter 1:16 “Be holy, for I am holy”

Leviticus 11:45 “For I am the Lord who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; thus you shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Leviticus 19:2 “Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.”

Scripture describes how God sees His people:

1st Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”

Abstaining from sin can be the 1st step that can be taken in a believer’s conduct towards being holy. Having a constant watch over our gates will assist with not sinning;

Eye gate…not looking at any or everything that is put before us.

Ear gate...not listening to any or everything that we hear.

Taste gate…not consuming any or everything that is offered.

Touch gate…not touching someone or something inappropriately.

Nose gate...not smelling any or everything that has been put before us.

Roman’s 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God”

Father in heaven, give your people the strength that is needed to have and live a life style that represents holiness, in Jesus name…Amen!

Continuing in HIs service…Rev

The name of Jesus

The Name that is above every other name

Jesus

Philippians 2:9-11 “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (KJV)

Poverty                  High blood pressure          Cancer   

Tuberculosis             Arthritis        Heart disease                  

High cholesterol        Diabetes       Gout       Drug addiction

Alcoholism      Mental illness    Eating disorder  

Pneumonia        Influenza        Depression    PTSD                          

Anxiety         Glaucoma           Eczema          Heart disease

 Kidney failure   Alzheimer’s     Dementia     Rheumatoid  Arthritis    

HIV          AIDS          Suicide       Parkinson Disease                

Stroke   Cerebral Palsy        Hypertension   Autism

Multiple Sclerosis   Abortion     Lupus   Gun Violence  

John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

John 14:13  “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son”

Luke 10:17 “The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”

Jeremiah 10:6 “There is none like you, O Lord; You are great, and Your name is great in might.”

Acts 3:6 “But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”

Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”

John 1:29 “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

Revelation 22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

Lord Jesus, we take full authority over sickness, disease and anything that is not like you, we cast it out of our lives and send it back to the sender…By your stripes we are healed…in the name of Jesus we call those things that be not as though they were…and stand on your word that all of your promises are yes and Amen.   

Continuing in His service…Rev